Tar-extractor.



G. M. S. TAIT.

TAR EXTRACTOH. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. l9ll- RENEWED nus. II. 1911.

3 SHEETSSHFET-2.

e. M. s. TAU.

TAR EXTRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. I911.

RENEWED AUG. H.191].

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET a H l. I

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS TE SAE N J GODFREY M. 'SPTAIT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNG T0, HARRY M. MARBLE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. v I

TAlRr-EXTBACTOR.

Application filed March 24, 1911, Serial No. 616,685.

2' '0 all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, GODFREY M. S. Terr, of \Vashington, D. C., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Tar-Extractors. of which the following is tr full, clear. and exact specification, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an apparatus for extracting tar and similar impurities from producer gas, and to the combination of such an apparatus with means for transmitting the gas to the engine or to another point of utilization for controlling the pressures of the gases thus transmitted. According to this I employ a peculiar form of centrifugal fan which in addition to violently throwing the solid matter outward from the path of movement of the gas acts to impel the gas itself through the pipe line to the engine and combines a pressure regulating means permitting the gas to be by-passed back to the suction side when an excess pressure is developed in the pipe line to e engine.

My invention also involves a novel means of subjecting the gas to the action of moisture, whereby to emulsify the tar and volatile constituent of the gas and render its separation in the extractor easy and thorough.

The invention involves various other features of importance, particularly those relating to the relative construction and arrangement of the impeller blades and housing, all of which will be fully set forth hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is now had to the accompanying drawings, which represent, as an example,

the preferred embodiment of my invention.

In these drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical section of the invcntion;

Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the larger impeller wheels;

Fig. 3 is a section thereof;

Fig. 4 is a side view of one of the smallest impeller wheels;

Fig. 5 is a section of the same;

Fig. 6 is a detail section showing a slight modification in the form;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View of modification.

The apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 is pro vided with a base 10, in which a water pan 11 is formed in any suitable manner. 12 ina further Specification of Letters Patent.

aenewea August 11, 1917. Serial at. 185,796.

Patented Aerie, 1913; i

dicates a foundation plate on the base and on this is fastened the foundation or base flange 1 1 of the main casting or body of the tar separator. Said main casting or body of the tar separator has two pedestals15- with bearings 16 carrying the axleshaft '17- it! i that the same may r be rotated rapidly bypower applied to the.

i '65 of the tar extractor is also pro v of the impeller wheels so shaft in any desired manner.

The body vided with an inletchamber 18 at one side and an outlet chamber 19'at the other to the inlet chamber 18 and a gas supply pipe 2Q extends in which a steam spray nozzle'21 discharges toward the inlet chamber 18 a c ting on the gas as will fully appear here1n-' after. Between the lnlet and outlet chambers 18 and 19 three separator chambers 22, 22 and 22 are arranged. These are circular in form and are of gradual increasing diameter. The smallest chamber 22 communi cates with the chamber18 through a gate way 23, while the largest chamber 22 discharges into the outlet chamber 19 through a larger opening or passageway 24. 'The three separator chambers 22, 22 and 22 have at their discharge or outlet sides in-' wardly projecting annular walls 25, which extend from the outer walls of the chambers slightly inward and mark the divisions between the chambers. From the bottoms of the separator chambers passageways 26, 26 and 26 extend downward through the body of the separator where they meet cor-.

responding openings in the base plate 12 and communicate with tubes 27, 27% and 27* extendin downward into a body of "water maintained at a predetermined-level in the pan 11 by extends from her 19 downward lower end is sealed by the same. The inlet the bottom of the outlet chem-- chamber 18 communicates at its bottom with.

said water pan 11 through an opening 30, which, however, is {not be seen by reference to Fig. 1.

In each of the separator chambers an im peller wheel is located. Each impeller com prises a hub 31 to which a web32 1s fastened. This web 32 carries radial blades 33. The

webs 32 extend outwardin proximity withthe inner edges of the walls 25 of their re spective separator ever, annularspaccs between the peripheries of the webs and tl f said walls for" the movement of the-gas. the impeller WlllChwlS loan overflow pipe 28. A pipe 29' into said water so that its chamber leavin how= water-sealed,=-as will blades extending from the peripheries (if the web's and inward past the muses but not tothe hubs. This distinction is by reason of f the difi'erentdiameters ofthe impeller wheels, the larger wheels not requiring the ribs" along their whole faces: 'saidi blades or ribs 33 are located at the inlet side of the web'sso that'in 'rota'tingfthey bring about" a centrifugal motion'of the materials within the separator and'induce a pressure through the same'toward the'outlet chamber," as willfully appear hereinafter. The shaft 17 .is "hollow and connectedwitli a water supply and is perforated as at 34, the perforations matching with the perforations'in the hub31 so that the water may flow from the pipe into the separator chambersas will also fully appear hereinafter.

The operation. of theapp'ara-tus is as follows:

Upon rotation of the shaft 17 and the attached impeller wheels theblades 33,, located 1" on the inlet sides onlyof saidlwheels, serve to throw outward the fluid contents of the tar extractorjbody and draft or impel the same from one chamber to another of said body. This induces a suction in the' inlet connection 18 and a corresponding pressure in the discharge connection-l9'which draws the gas and its volatile content into the extractor body where it is taken up bythe im-' peller wheels and thrown violently outward as it successively passes through the chainbers in which the wheels are located, Sinuiltaneously water is supplied through the hollow shaft 17, which passes outward along the impeller wheels and takes up the tar and volatile content of the gas and thrown with the same outward beyond the peripheries of the wheels. The tar thus separated falls to the bottoms of the separator chambers and v I v of the springs.

escapes into the pan ll'ithrough thecon'nections 27, '27 and 27 or many other point to which itmay be desired to lead the discharge. The gas, however, under the influence of the impeller wheelsjis causedto move progressively from chamber to the other andlout into the discharge connection 19 r This, it will be seen, not only draws the gas through the separatonbut maintains a certain pressure in the discharge line; causing the gas to flow to the point of consump-' tion. Should-theconsumption of the'gas fall belownorinal and. an excess pressure he thereby enerated in the discharge line this will, acting in the connection 29', break the water seal and flowing therethrough into the panil. and from thence back to'the suction or inlet side through the opening 30. This it will'be seen bypasses thegas to the suction side and automatically maintains the one separator pressure in the discharge side at a predetermined po nt. lnrega'rdto this! feature of the apparatus it' 'i's pointed out'that' thetar receptacle? 11' should" be -'c'lo 'sedifromatmospheric communication to pre ventiescape of' the gas and o insure its return intothe inletconnection'18. Y I

Du ing th' operation of this apparatus, and inorder that'the-tarvapormay be thor; oughly emulsified before" coming in contact witli the rotaries, I introduce into thjega line-at some point, a steam jet, 21," supply ing steam, prefeirably of a high'jtem'peraturei The object of introducing-steam at this point is for the emul'sificati'on ofFQthe volatile matterin the gas which, if brought in contact with finely divided ,m'oisture forms a fairly stable emulsion. It followsthere fore that by using steam instead of water at this point that the steam being more highly divided than water-forms the best j'typeof spray'and makes a proportionately higher emulsion, with the result "that the'moisture in thesteam condenses on the tiny globules of 'volatile'matter adding weight thereto, so that when' same reaches the tar separator the centrifugal'action of same has a'greater' weight to act on, and therefore acts with very much greater, rapidity and precision, thereby facilitating the mechanical operation of the'apparatu's. f

Fig. 6 shows a modification ofthje invention in which, the web's ofthe impeller wheels are/formed ,with opening, 35,- closed by gates, 36, which slide in guidew'ays, 37. These gates are normally opened-by springs, 38, and are held sowhile the impeller wheels are stationary. But' 'when rotation begins the gates move outward"- to closed position by centrifugal force overcoming" the "action This arrangement allows the gas to'flowfreely'thr'oughthe separator when the separator" is not in" operation and under certain conditions this maybe at times desirable,

Fig. 7 shows a further modification in which; the open spaces inside of the impelling"b'l'ade's, 33, 'arefijl'ledby a conical shield or drum,;.39. This includes the hollew shaft 17' and'thfe Water is led from said shaft to the inner-ends of, the impelling blades by means oftube, 40j Thisrdrum covers andv incloses the otherwise dead "space inthe tar separator andfprevents a partial vacuum which might otherwise form at this point from disturbingthe above-described operation'of the tar separator.

The speed'in revolutions of the. impeller wheels m'a'y becdatrauea'b thego ernor. 50, preferably'of the usualball-type and connected to the engine. The usual sliding collar, 51, is actuated through a bell crank lever, 52, which may be connected by a rod, 53, to a movable lever. 54, preferably pivotally mounted on the frame, 15. This lever carries a hand operated pawl, 54, which is adapted to move over a toothed quadrant, 55. This lever is attached to the shaft, 17, whereby the wheels, 32, may be changed with relation to the'inclosing walls 25 and their discharge force accordingly regulated.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of a tar extractor body with annular baflie walls therein, arranged to form a horizontal series of communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter and rotating extractor wheels arranged in said chambers and also of successively increasing diameter, and mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, the extractor wheels having blades thereon to impel the gas from one chamber to the other, and the said extractor chambers having tar outlets in their lower portions.

2. The combination of a tar extractor body with annular bafile walls therein arranged to form a horizontal series of communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter and rotating extractor wheels arranged in said chambers and also of successively increasing diameter, and mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, the extractor wheels having blades thereon to impel the gas from one chamber to the other, said blades being arranged on the receiving side only of the impeller wheels, and the said extractor chambers having tar outlets in their lower portions.

3. The combination of a tar extractor body with annular baffle walls therein arranged to form communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter and rotating extractor wheels arranged in said chambers and also of successively increasing diameter, the extractor wheels having bladesthereon to impel'the gas from one chamber to the other, the peripheries of the impeller wheels being arranged in proximity to the inner edges of the respective baffle walls, the diameter of each impeller wheel being less than the internal diameter of the corresponding baflle wall, whereby space is pro vided between the periphery of each impeller wheel and the inner periphery of each baflle wall for the flow of gas to the next succeeding chamber. a v

4. The combination of a tar extractor body with annular bafile walls therein arranged to form'communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter, rotating extractor wheels arranged in said chambers and lso of successively increasing diameter, the extractor wheels having blades 7 gas from the tar pass thereon to impel the gas from one chamber to the other, and an automatically controlled by-pass means from the discharge to the receiving side of the tar extractor.

5. The combination of a tar extractor body with annular baffle walls therein, arranged to form communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter, rotating extractor wheels arranged in said chambers and also of successively increasing diameter, the extractor wheels having blades thereon to impel the gas from one chamber, to the other, and a water-sealed by-pas's means from the discharge to the receiving side of the tar extractor.

6. A tar extractor having an extractor body with a plurality of horizontally arranged extractor chambers communicating with each other and successively increasing in diameter and means for impelling the contents of the said body outward in the chambers and from the smaller to the larger successively, the axis of said extractor body and of the extractor chambers therein being substantially horizontal, said chambers having in their lower portions outlets for the discharge of separated tar.

7. A tar extractor having an extractor body with a plurality of horizontally arranged extractor chambers communicating with each other and successively increasing in diameter and means for impelling the contents of the said body outward in the chambers and from the smaller to the larger successively, comprising rotating -impellers 100 inz-the chambers, the axis of said extractor body and of the extractor chambers therein, and the axis of rotation of said impellers, being substantially horizontal, said extractor chambers having in their lower portions outlets for the discharge of separated tar.

8. A tar extractor having-an extractor body witha plurality of extractor chambers communicating with each other and successively increasing in diameter, means for im- 110 pelling the contents of the said body outward in the chambers and from the smaller to the larger successively, and a closed drum attached to the extractor wheels inward of the blades, the drum also increasing in 1 diameter from the receiving to the discharge side of the tar extractor.

9. The combination of a pressure develo ing tar extractor, a pipe line conducting t e extractor to the point of 120 gas consumption and a by-pass for returning excess pressure in thepipe line to the suction side of the tar extractor, the by-' provided with a seal to prevent the flow of gastherethrough in but one direction. 1 l

10. The combination of a pressure creating tar extractor, a water container below the tar extractor and having direct communication with the inlet connection of the use tar extractor, a' pipe line receiving'the gas from the tar extractor andconductingit to the pointof gas-consumptlon and means. 7 I

chamber,and means for by-passlngthe gas constituting a passage from the interior -of the .tar, extractor to the waterf container, such passage being normally sealed by the Water therein, I I 11, The. ,combmatlon of a tar. extractor bodywith annular bafiie walls forming extractor chambers and inletandgoutlet con? nections respectivelyi'at the, side'saoi said 7 chambers, a rotary shaft extending through centrifugal, fan wheels. in said extractor chambers, and mounted on' the shaft, means forcarryingofi the tar.

the bafile walls,

and. water comprisingoutlet devices. from the bottomQof each extractor chamber and outlet passage from the inletconnectionof the extractor body and means for by-passingexcess pressure from the discharge to the receiving side of the extractor.

12.;A tar extractor having means form-,

ing extractor. chambers communicatingwith, each other and centrifugal fan Wheels oper: ating iin said chambers, the-webs ofsaid wheels having openings therein provided with gates to close the openings upon the development of centrifugal'force and yielding means for opening the gates upon the cessation of such force.

13. A tar extractor having a body, a plu-v rality of partitions forming separateexr tractor chambers commun catlll .,W1th each other, inlet and outlet connections respec,

tively at the side of said chambers, a Water chamber below said body and having passages loading from the, chambers therein to points beueaththe watcr level in said; water chamber and an open communication be tween said body-and the upper portion of the water-ch amber. 1

14. A tar extractorhaving an extractor chamber, a .centrifugallffanlwheel, an open-r ing therein, a water chamber beneath theextractor chamber and a conduitleading from.

the lower portion of said extractorchamber to ap oint bel owflth'e water i-level in thewater chamber, the T extractor having 1 open communication ,betweenthednlet of said ,ext rac tor'chamber and the upper ,portion of said Water chamber, wherbygas escaping from said extractor chambenthrough the ,said conduit may return 'to'the inletfof the extractor chambera a p 15h tar. extractor,rhavingbani extractor chamheznra centrifugal 'fan" .wh'eel, ran ,opene ing. therein, a water chamber beneath the extractor chamber n 1.1 1

munication betweenllthe, inlet ofsmd extrac-rv tor chamber and the upper portionof said nit leading from the lower portion of said extractor chamber eeann water chamber, whereby gas escaping from said extractor chamber through the said conduit may return to the inlet of the extractor ingtherein, a water chamber beneath-the extractor chamber and ,ajconduit leading from the lower portio'nfof said 'extractorf'lfi chamber to a point below the wat er level. in,

the Water chamber, the extractor having between the inlet of] said extractor chamber and; the upper por-v open communication tionof said water .chamber whereby gas escaping from said through the said conduit may return to the inlet of the extractor chamber, and means for by-passingfthe gas from the discharge side of the tar extractor into the water chamber and thence to the inlet side, said means includin'ga water seal preventing back flow of gasin the by-pass.

17. The ,combination of a tar extractor body with annular .bafiie walls therein, arranged to form a horizontal series of communicating extractor chambers, of successively increasing diameter and rotating extractor wheels arranged a in said chambers and also of successively increasing diame ter, said extractor wheels arranged to rotate about an approximately horizontal axis, the said extractonchambers having in, their lower portions 'o'utletsifor-jlthe discharge of separated tar, the extractcr 'wheels, having blades thereon tov impel the gas, from] one chamber to the other, and .me'ansfor introducing an emulsifying agent into the gas.

18. The combination of tar extractor body vwith annular, bathe wallstherein, arranged to .forni a horizontal series lofcommunicating.v extractor I chambers, of successively increasing diameter and rotating extractor wheels n s -0fs S i e1 n r asing .d me ter, said exti'actor wheels arranged to rotate bout a app o ma lyihb zonteli at said extractor chambers having in their Y lower portions OuuetsfQ'rLthe d scbargev of separated, tar, the. extractor Wheels, having bladesthereon toimpcljthe ga's-jffrom one chamber tofthe other, anda steamt jet in intimate contact with the. gas whereby the volatile matter in, the, gas'i is :emulsified;

In testimony whereof I1 -ha vel sifgnedfmy name to this specification? in the: presence of two subscribing witnesses GODFREY M. S. TAIT; Witnessesz' CAMPBELL, J. WILLrAMs.

denier; at this retest may he obtained tar are cents each, by addressing the @cmaateafioner at Patents, Waahhgton, 53, @F

arranged. in said; chambers extractor chamber ice 

